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08 February 1985: Launched and christened, sponsored by Lois Haight Herrington, wife of Under Secretary of the Navy John S. Herrington

22 March 1986: Commissioned at Long Beach, Cal., Cmdr. John J. Kieley in command, assigned to Surface Squadron 1 at Long Beach

August 1991: Homeport changed to Pearl Harbor, Hi. as a unit of Destroyer Squadron 31

18 July 2013: Decommissioned at Pearl Harbor, Hi. after 27.4 years of service

01 August 2013: Official date of decommissioning, struck from the NVR (for disposal)

18 January 2016: Sunk during a test of the new anti-surface warfare (ASuW) variant of the Raytheon Standard Missile 6 (SM-6) fired by USS John Paul Jones (DDG 53) at the U.S. Pacific
Missile Range Facility off the coast of Hawaii

Artist's conception of Reuben James by the renowned graphic illustrator John Barrett, with the text written by naval author and historian
Robert F. Sumrall. Their company, Navy Yard Associates, offers prints of most destroyers, submarines and aircraft carriers in various
configurations during the ship's lifetime. ALL the long hulled guided missile frigates ARE available. The prints can be customized with ship's patches, your photograph,
your bio, etc. When you purchase artwork from them, please indicate that you heard about their work from Navsource.

Reuben James was born in Delaware, Ohio about 1776. He joined the Navy and served on various ships, including the frigate USS Constellation.
During the Barbary Wars, the American frigate Philadelphia was captured by the Barbary pirates, when it ran aground in the city of Tripoli, on the southern shores of the
Mediterranean Sea. Lieutenant Stephen Decatur, along with a group of volunteers that included Reuben James, entered the harbor of Tripoli under the cover of darkness in an attempt to
burn the Philadelphia so that the pirates could not make use of her.

The American volunteers boarded the Philadelphia on 16 February 1804 and were met by a group of Barbary pirates who were guarding their prize. During the ensuing hand-to-hand
combat, Reuben James, with both of his hands already wounded, positioned himself between Lieutenant Decatur and a sword-wielding pirate. Reuben James, willing to give his life in defense of
his captain, took the blow from the sword but survived and recovered from his wounds.

Reuben James continued his career in the U.S. Navy, including many years with Decatur. James was forced to retire in January 1836 because of declining health brought on because of past wounds.
He died on 3 December 1838 at the US Naval Hospital in Washington DC.

USS Reuben James (FFG 57) is named in his honor, as were DD 245 (1920-1941), and
DE 153 (1943-1947).

08 February 1985: Long Beach, Cal. - Reuben James sits on the ways at the Todd shipyard in preparation for her launching.

Ron Reeves

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08 February 1985: Long Beach, Cal. - The Launching Party poses at the launching of Reuben James at the Todd shipyard. From left to right,
L.M. Thorell, general manager, Todd Pacific Shipyard; Lisa Marie Herrington, maid of honor; John S. Herrington, Under Secretary of the Navy; Lois Haight Herrington, ship's sponsor;
and Victoria Jean Herrington, maid of honor. (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-86-04203 by Todd Pacific Shipyard Corp. from the
DVIC)

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08 February 1985: Long Beach, Cal. - USS Reuben James is christened by Lois Haight Herrington, wife of Under Secretary of the Navy
John S. Herrington, at the Todd shipyard. On the right is L.M. Thorell, general manager, Todd Pacific Shipyard. (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-86-04201 by Todd Pacific
Shipyard Corp. from the DVIC)

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04 May 1985: Long Beach, Cal. - USS Reuben James is launched at the Todd shipyard. (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-86-04202 by
Todd Pacific Shipyard Corp. from the DVIC)

22 March 1986: Long Beach, Cal. - Crew members of the guided missile frigate USS Reuben James (FFG 57) man the ship during its commissioning ceremony.
(U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SN-86-05244 by PH2 Michael D.P. Flynn from the DVIC)

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22 March 1986: Long Beach, Cal. - Survivors of the first Reuben James (DD 245), which was lost in action at the outbreak of US involvement in
World War II, pose for a group photograph during the commissioning of Reuben James. (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-ST-86-05278 by PH2 Michael D.P. Flynn from the
DVIC)

In 1989 the Commanding Officer, Nick Richards, wanted a photo of the ship with the new Battle Flag being flown. As you can see, it is an enormous flag.
We also had a fairly new paint job on the ship, and Cap't Richards wanted a photo of the ship looking sharp! It was to be used not only for PR purposes, but especially for the
upcoming trip to Russia. Cap't Richards sent me up on one of the Seahawk helicopters with my new Nikon F4S camera and I took photos of the ship for about 20 minutes from all angles.
This was one of my favorite shots, and Cap't Richards agreed, and it became the ‘official ship photo’ for quite awhile. I don’t remember where we were at when the photo was taken, I
was taking many photos back then as one of the Ship’s Photo Intel team members (Snoopy Team).

Mark S. West FC1(SW), USN (ret.)

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14 September 1990: Vladivostok USSR - A banner hangs from a railing aboard a Soviet harbor craft as two American warships enter the port. The guided missile
cruiser USS Princeton (CG 59) and the guided missile frigate USS Reuben James (FFG 57) are
visiting Vladivostock as part of a United States/Soviet goodwill exchange program. (U.S. Navy photo, DVID #DN-ST-91-00748 by PH1 Ted Salois, from the
DVIC)

25 June 1999: the Pacific Ocean - The Chilean flagship Blanco Encalada (DLH-15) is framed by the 76mm gun mount from Reuben James
during Exercise Teamwork South '99 off the coast of Chile. (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SD-02-02010 (990625-N-5862D-004) by PH1 Chris Desmond, from the DVIC)

Fred Weiss

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30 June 1999: the Pacific Ocean - U.S. Navy frigate Reuben James and U.S. Navy submarine USS
Tucson (SSN 770) off the coast of Chile during Exercise Teamwork South '99. (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SD-02-02099 (990630-N-5862D-028) by PH1 Chris Desmond from the DVIC)

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06 July 1999: the Pacific Ocean - Reuben James is anchored off the port city of Mejoines, Chile, as a participant in Exercise
Teamwork South '99. (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SD-02-02010 (DN-SD-02-02135 (990706-N-5862D-004) by PH1 Chris Desmond from the
DVIC)

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27 August 1999: Pearl Harbor, Hi. - Reuben James docked near the DDG 70, USS
Hopper, in the Southeast Loch at Pearl Harbor. I shot this one while on a tour of Arizona
and then Missouri. An unknown SSN is off to the left.

John Skillman

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27 August 1999: Pearl Harbor, Hi. - The "Ships Present" Board aboard Missouri showing Reuben James and the other ships in port
that day.

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23 September 2002: the Pacific Ocean - An aerial view of Reuben James. Frigates fulfill a protection of shipping (POS) mission as Anti-Submarine
Warfare combatants for amphibious expeditionary forces, underway replenishment groups and merchant convoys. Reuben James is a part of the USS Abraham Lincoln
Battle Group and is on a scheduled six-month deployment conducting combat missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. (U.S. Navy photo DVID #020923-N-4309A-006 by
PH2 Aaron Ansarov from the Navy Newstand)

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23 September 2002: the Pacific Ocean - An aerial view of Reuben James. Frigates fulfill a protection of shipping mission as Anti-Submarine
Warfare combatants for amphibious expeditionary forces, underway replenishment groups and merchant convoys. Reuben James is a part of the USS Abraham Lincoln
(CVN 72) Battle Group and is on a regularly scheduled deployment conducting combat missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
(U.S. Navy photo DVID #020923-N-4309A-008 by PH2 Aaron Ansarov from the Navy Newstand)

Bill Gonyo

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27 April 2003: Pearl Harbor, Hi. - Sailors aboard Reuben James man the rails as the ship returns to her homeport of Pearl Harbor.
Reuben James spent over nine months deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Operation Iraqi Freedom is the multi-national coalition effort
to liberate the Iraqi people, eliminate Iraq’s weapons of mass destruction, and end the regime of Saddam Hussein. (U.S. Navy photo #030427-N-5376G-002 by
PHAN Benjamin D. Glass from the Navy Newstand)

Fred Weiss

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27 April 2003: Pearl Harbor, Hi. - Reuben James returns to her homeport Pearl Harbor after a deployment with the USS Abraham Lincoln
(CVN 72) strike group spanning nearly 10 months. Reuben James is among the first ships to return home from Operation Iraqi Freedom.
(U.S. Navy photo #030427-N-8157C-031 by PH2 Dennis Cantrell from the Navy Newstand)

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18 June 2003: Honolulu, Hi. - Reuben James prepares to pass the new Japanese fishing training vessel Ehime Maru while
pulling in to Honolulu, Hawaii. Reuben James and the guided missile destroyer USS Hopper
(DDG 70) pull into Honolulu, Hawaii for a short port visit to The Aloha Tower Marketplace in support of this year's Navy League Convention.
(U.S. Navy photo #030618-N-8157C-020 by PH2 Dennis Cantrell from the Navy Newstand)

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18 June 2003: Honolulu, Hi. - Reuben James and the guided missile destroyer USS Hopper (DDG 70) pull into Honolulu
for a short port visit to The Aloha Tower Marketplace in support of this year's Navy League Convention. (U.S. Navy photo #030618-N-8157C-049 by PH2 Dennis
Cantrell from the Navy Newstand)

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18 June 2003: Honolulu, Hi. - Officers and Sailors of the guided missile frigate Reuben James hold a frocking ceremony on the ship’s helo deck.
Reuben James and Hopper (DDG 70) pulled into Honolulu for a short port visit to The Aloha Tower Marketplace in support of this year's Navy League Convention.
(U.S. Navy photo #030618-N-8157C-088 by PH2 Dennis Cantrell from the Navy Newstand)

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12 February 2004: Pearl Harbor, Hi. - Family members of sailors assigned to the guided missile frigate Reuben James watch as the ship pulls out
for a scheduled deployment. Reuben James is scheduled to perform various counter drug operations in the Eastern regions of the South Pacific Ocean. Reuben James
returned ten months ago from the Arabian Gulf following a nine-month deployment in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.
(U.S. Navy photo #040212-N-3019M-001 by JOSN Ryan C. McGinley from the Navy Newstand)

Fred Weiss

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01 January 2006: San Diego, Cal. - Reuben James and other 3rd Fleet ships home ported at Naval Station San Diego display their holiday lights
in celebration moments after the start of the New Year. (U.S. Navy photo #060101-N-9866B-324 by JO2 Zack Baddorf from the
Navy Newstand)

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07 August 2006: Pearl Harbor, Hi. - The U.S. Navy Oliver Hazard Perry Class Guided Missile Frigate USS Reuben James (FFG 57) (left) and
the Ticonderoga Class Guided Missile Cruiser (Aegis) USS Port Royal (CG 73) (right) sit moored at
Naval Station Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Reuben James and Port Royal, completed a six-month deployment in the Western Pacific and the USN 5th Fleet area of
operation. Nearly 6,000 Sailors and Marines assigned to Expeditionary Strike Group 3 (ESG-3) operated in the Pacific and Indian Oceans in support of the Global War On Terrorism.
(U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SD-07-10853 (060807-N-4965F-001) by MC1 James E. Foehl from the DVIC)

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16 August 2006: Pearl Harbor, Hi. - Reuben James sits pierside at Pearl Harbor after returning from a six-month deployment. The ship
traveled more than 45,000 miles supporting the global war on terrorism and maritime security operations. (U.S. Navy photo #060816-N-9643K-001 by MCC Joe Kane from
the Navy Newstand)

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24 August 2007: Pearl Harbor, Hi. - USS Reuben James (FFG 57) departs from her homeport of Naval Station Pearl Harbor. The ship is scheduled
conduct operations in the Western Pacific Ocean. (U.S. Navy photo #070824-N-9758L-183 by MC3 Michael A. Lantron from the Navy Newstand)

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22 February 2008: Pearl Harbor, Hi. - The Oliver Hazard Perry-class guided-missile frigate USS Reuben James (FFG 57) passes the Battleship
Missouri Memorial as she makes her way pier side at Naval Station Pearl Harbor. Reuben James is returning from a six-month western Pacific deployment supporting the
global war on terrorism. Armed with six MK-46 torpedoes, one 76 mm MK 75 rapid-fire gun and one Phalanx close-in weapons system, frigates fulfill a protection of shipping mission
as anti-submarine warfare combatants for amphibious expeditionary forces, underway replenishment groups and merchant convoys. (U.S. Navy photo #080222-N-4965F-358 by
MC1 James E. Foehl from the Navy Newstand)

Robert M. Cieri

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22 February 2008: Pearl Harbor, Hi. - Sailors man the rails aboard the Oliver Hazard Perry-class guided-missile frigate USS Reuben James (FFG 57)
as she makes her way pier side at Naval Station Pearl Harbor. Reuben James is returning from a six-month western Pacific deployment supporting the global war on terrorism.
Armed with six MK-46 torpedoes, one 76 mm MK 75 rapid fire gun and one Phalanx close-in weapons system, frigates fulfill a protection of shipping mission as anti-submarine warfare combatants
for amphibious expeditionary forces, underway replenishment groups and merchant convoys. (U.S. Navy photo #080222-N-4965F-398 by MC1 James E. Foehl from the
Navy Newstand)

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18 April 2008: Pearl Harbor, Hi. - The Oliver Hazard Perry-class guided-missile frigate USS Reuben James (FFG 57) passes the USS
Arizona Memorial as she departs Naval Station Pearl Harbor. Reuben James departed her homeport of Pearl Harbor to join USS Nimitz (CVN 68)
Carrier Strike Group (CSG). The Nimitz CSG is deployed under the Navy's fleet response plan and will operate in the western Pacific in support of U.S. commitments in
the region. (U.S. Navy photo #080418-N-4965F-099 by MC1 James E. Foehl from the Navy Newstand)

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25 September 2008: Pearl Harbor, Hi. - The Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigate Reuben James departs Naval Station Pearl Harbor.
Reuben James and the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS O'Kane (DDG 77)
departed from Pearl Harbor as part of the Mid-Pacific Surface Combatant Operational Employment program. The program calls for nine of the 11 Hawaii-based surface combatants to
focus on the Western Pacific by conducting intermediate/advanced training and regular deployments in the Western Pacific, and is designed to improve the U.S. Pacific Fleet's war
fighting readiness and effectiveness. (U.S. Navy photo #080925-N-9758L-048 by MC2 Michael A. Lantron from the Navy Newstand)

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15 January 2010: Pearl Harbor, Hi. - Reuben James (FFG 57) pulls out of Naval Station Pearl Harbor for a scheduled six-month deployment.
Reuben James will be deployed to the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo #100115-N-3666S-034 by MC2 Robert Stirrup from the
Navy Newstand)

Robert Hurst

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01 June 2010: Pearl Harbor, Hi. - Sailors aboard Reuben James man the rails as the ship returns to Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam.
Reuben James has completed operations with forward-deployed naval forces, joint fisheries patrol with the U.S. Coast Guard and humanitarian relief and goodwill
projects in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo #100601-N-7498L-050 by MC2 Mark Logico from the Navy Newstand)

01 February 2011: Pearl Harbor, Hi. - Sailors assigned to the guided-missile frigate Reuben James man the rails as the ship departs for
deployment. Reuben James is scheduled to conduct integrated operations with coalition partners deployed in the western Pacific Ocean.
(U.S. Navy photo #110201-N-7498L-326 by MC2 Mark Logico from the Navy Newstand)

Navsource

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20 June 2011: the Pacific Ocean - The guided-missile frigate Reuben James returns to homeport after a 5-month deployment in the western
Pacific Ocean. Reuben James conducted fisheries patrols in the exclusive economic zones of various Pacific Island nations and integrated operations with coalition partners.
(U.S. Navy photo #110620-N-WX059-059 by MCSN Sean Furey from the Navy Newstand)

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20 June 2011: the Pacific Ocean - The guided-missile frigate Reuben James returns to homeport after a 5-month deployment in the western
Pacific Ocean. (U.S. Navy photo #110620-N-WX059-124 by MCSN Sean Furey from the Navy Newstand)

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23 March 2012: the Pacific Ocean - The guided-missile frigate Reuben James conducts operations off the coast of Hawaii.
(U.S. Navy photo #120323-N-WX059-016 by MCSN Sean Furey from the Navy Newstand)

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06 April 2012: the Pacific Ocean - Reuben James performs maneuvers off the coast of Kauai during maritime exercise Koa Kai 12-2.
Koa Kai is a semiannual exercise in the waters around Hawaii designed to prepare independent deployers in multiple warfare areas and provide training in a multi-ship environment.
This is the first year San Diego-based ships are also participating. (U.S. Navy photo #120406-N-RI884-013 by MC2 Daniel Barker from the
Navy Newstand)

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04 November 2012: Muara, Brunei - The guided-missile frigate Reuben James arrives in Brunei during the Cooperation Afloat Readiness
and Training exercise between the U.S. Navy and Royal Brunei Armed Forces. CARAT is a series of bilateral military exercises between the U.S. Navy and the armed forces of
Bangladesh, Brunei, Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Brunei and Timor Leste that takes place annually.
(U.S. Navy photo #121104-N-ZZ999-004 by MCC Michael Ard from the Navy Newstand)

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09 November 2012: Muara, Brunei - Sailors, Marines and Royal Brunei Armed Forces personnel attend the closing ceremony of Cooperation Afloat Readiness
and Training Brunei 2012. The guided-missile frigate Reuben James is moored in the background. CARAT is a series of bilateral military exercises between the U.S. Navy
and the armed forces of Bangladesh, Brunei, Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Brunei and Timor Leste. CARAT Brunei has been part of the series since it began
in 1995. The overarching goal of CARAT Brunei 2012 is to enhance regional capabilities and cooperation, promote understanding, and improve interoperability and readiness of participating
forces. (U.S. Navy photo #121109-N-KF309-068 by Lcdr. Clay Doss from the Navy Newstand)

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18 July 2013: Pearl Harbor, Hi. - Cmdr. Dan Valascho, the last commanding officer of the guided-missile frigate USS Reuben James (FFG 57),
delivers remarks during the ship's decommissioning ceremony on Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. Reuben James was the first, and is the last, guided-missile frigate to be
homeported in Pearl Harbor. (U.S. Navy photo #130718-N-XD424-043 by MC2 Dustin W. Sisco from the Navy Newstand)

Contact information is compiled from various sources over a period of time and may, or may not, be correct. Every effort has been made to list the newest contact.
However, our entry is only as good as the latest information that's been sent to us. We list only a contact for the ship if one has been sent to us. We do NOT have crew lists or
rosters available. Please see the Frequently Asked Questions section on Navsource's Main Page for that information.